The book, People of the Three Fires, is written by three different people each describing a tribe in detail.The book is very well written and relatively easy to understand. It is informative and was written to be used as a teaching tool for schools. The book discusses the relationship between the groups that lived in Michigan and surrounding areas.

James M. McClurken writes the first section, which deals with the Ottawa people. McClurken tells about the Ottawa peoples' relationship with the environment they lived in and how they adapted to change when contacted by Europeans. One thing I found interesting about the Ottawa is their beliefs. The Ottawa believed in respect for the individual. Their leaders represented the people much like our elected officials represent us when a decision is needed for the whole of the country. They are in tune with nature and consider the earth and animals part of their family, addressing them with "father," "mother," "brother," "sister." The Ottawa's also amazed me at their ability to believe in the supernatural, the spirits that told what sickness a person has and the healing power of the firewalkers is a leap of faith. I am always amazed that p

eople survived without Advil and Tums, and they didn't just survived they thrived! The Ottawa were great traders, in fact they traded all !

Dr. George L. Cornell wrote the Ojibway section of the book. The section starts out by describing the first contact the Ojibway had with outsiders. The Norse were believed to have landed on the North American continent around A.D. 1000 bringing with them diseases that made the native people move westward. After the move into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the surrounding areas the Ojibway lived a good life. Food was abundant and the social scene was busy. Dances and festivals to celebrate the Creation among other things helped to keep the people happy and optimistic. A child was raised by the whole village and was not viewed as property of the parents, but as a gift to all. I think this is a very important part of their society helping the child to feel loved and cared for wherever they were. They were skilled healers using medicinal plants and herbs around them to treat illnesses. The Ojibway also received unfair treatment when the government was making treaties!

------------------------------------------------------------------------

e Wkama went through trying to please everyone at once. During the French and Indian War the Potawatomi made a

Some common words found in the essay are:
James McClurken, Peninsula Michigan, War Potawatomi, Mexican Trinity, People Fires, Advil Tums, George Cornell, Ottawa Treaty, North American, Chippewa Ottawa, people fires, ottawa people, mason county, michigan surrounding, northern michigan,
Approximate Word count = 883
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)